Harassment, drugs, Xuxa’s lack of talent: ex-paquito talks about the past

They were all beautiful and smiling, but the atmosphere was never the lightest backstage at ‘Xou da Xuxa’, a children’s program aired by Globo between 1986 and 1992. “There was a lot of jealousy and rivalry between us”, admits Alexandre Canhoni, aka Xand , 49, one of the presenter’s five former “paquitos”.

In addition to being stagehands, they formed a band in which they sang and danced sensually – a past that Xand prefers to forget. “I regret seducing women,” says the now fervent missionary, who embraced religion 27 years ago.

Since then, he has adopted with his wife, Giovana, 19 children. The two have 14 grandchildren and work together on social projects in Africa (in Niger, a country that ranks last in the UN human development rankings). Alexandre remains active professionally, now as a singer of praises and adorations, and says he guides his life by the Bible. He gave the following interview to the F5:

After four years in “Xou da Xuxa”, you abruptly disappeared from the spotlight. What was there?

I left because I had outlined a marketing strategy to take a break and get back into a solo career. I came back, recorded an album and played shows in Brazil, but it didn’t take off like I imagined. I was kind of lost until in February 1995, I ended up converting and becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Do you have any regrets from the time before your religious conversion?

I regret not having known the word of Jesus sooner. I would have done less wrong, loved more, forgiven more and not tried drugs in the paquito era. Much less danced to seduce women. Today my life is guided by biblical principles alongside my wife, Giovana, and our 19 children and 14 grandchildren.

But drug consumption took place in what context? Behind the scenes of the show?

I tried it behind the scenes, at the time of ‘Xou da Xuxa’. I never took it to the dressing room and I prefer not to talk if I saw other people using it because I don’t want to compromise anyone. It’s more ethical to speak for me.

Cases of sexual harassment committed on TV in decades past are now surfacing. It happened with you?

The famous sofa test is no legend. He is real. There really is. It is part of metierI had some ‘proposals’ but, as with the drug issue, I prefer not to name names.

Marlene Mattos, director of ‘Xou da Xuxa’, had a reputation for being tough and harsh with subordinates. Is it fair to say that about her?

She used to fight with me a lot, she was rude, but now I understand. We even talk on WhatsApp sometimes. I just think she could have used less profanity, acted more calmly. At the time, he was upset, but he didn’t think about leaving the group because he had a goal: to pursue a solo career. That’s what I did.

And Xuxa? Do you still speak?

I didn’t find Xuxa anymore. I already looked for Tatiana Maranhão [ex-paquita e hoje assessora da apresentadora], but the schedules didn’t match. Xuxa had and always has a commitment. I wanted to meet her to talk, to remember when we worked together.

Is it true that behind the scenes you criticized her talent as a singer?

Xuxa was a presenter. We saw that it was necessary to adjust her voice. She has even assumed that: she knows she didn’t sing well. If she guaranteed in charisma.

Did Xuxa’s current position as a defender of LGBTQIA+ rights surprise you?

I haven’t been following what she does and talks about it. I don’t want to know either. I do not endorse anything that is contrary to my biblical principles. This is completely non-negotiable. I’ve stopped going to several TV shows that infringe on my Christian thoughts.

Can you give an example?

Going on a show to sing a song I recorded early in my career. I don’t sing anything secular. I’ve only been singing praises and adoration to the Lord since February 1995. I live another truth and I’m an extremely happy person that way.